PM assures Meetei in ST list if State approves so
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 16 2013:
The Prime Minister of India has assured the members of Schedule Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM), who met him on July 10, that the Meetei would be included in the list of Schedule Tribes if the State Cabinet takes a decision in this regard, Chairman of STDCM Dr Y Mohendro, has informed.
Talking to media persons in this regard, Dr Mohendro stated that the Prime Minister had enquired about the reasons for the demand for inclusion of Meetei in the ST list when members of STDCM including MP Dr T Meinya went to meet him in Delhi.
Satisfied with the reasons given by the visiting team, the Prime Minister assured that Meetei can be included in the ST list, but the State Cabinet approves it or a decision in this regard is taken by the State Assembly, Dr Mohendro disclosed.
He further stated that Meeteis, who are indigenous people of Manipur belong to Mongoloids.
But due to certain external interferences, the Meeteis followed Hinduism and are regarded as Aryans and this has hindered in the way of including Meeteis in the ST list.
The root cause of hatred among the people of the hills and the plains is also because of the separation of the people in the State as SC, ST, OBC and general.
Before these categories came into existence in Manipur, all the people were living in peace and harmony, he maintained.
Dr Mohendro further informed that a public rally would be organized to create awareness among the people in this regard in the month of August.